Weft-replenishing loom



1,679,618 B. F. MCGUINESS wsr'r REPLENISHLNQ Loon Filed been., i925" 11Sheets-Sheet 2 l fir-Tommy:

Aug. 7,v :92a

B. F. MCGUINESS WEFT REPLENI SHING LOOM Filed Dec. 4, 1925 11Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 7, 19m 1,619,618 B. F. MGGUINESS 'EPT RBPLENISHINGBOOK Filed Dec. 4, 1925 l1 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN viw vole.' 3. ff; M CG01/v5.55

Trop/vers Aug. 7, 1928. 1,679,618

B. F. McGulNEss WEFT REPLENI salud Loon Filed Dec. 4. 1925 11Sheets-Sheet 7 Elfman/V563 v Aug. 7, 1928. l

B. F. McGUlNEss WEFT REPLENISHING L00 Filed Dec. 4, 1925 11 Sheets-Sheet8 Aug. 7, 1928. 1,679,618

B. F. McGUlNEss v wBFr REPLENISHING Loo! Filed Dec. 4, 1925' 11Sheets-Sheet 9 145 I'Nvr/v rama Bf. MC60/NESS A ffforlvsy B. F. MGUINE$Swam* REPLENI'SHING Loon Aug. 7, 1928.4

Filed nec 4, 1925 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 n 5 w n www E 7 007 M w uo/JM, 7% M1i i. W M pm l -1. .v 4 @f 8 F o ,j

Aug. 7, im,

-McGulNEss am nsP'LBNIsuI-Ne Loon :mea Dec. 4, 1925 11 shuts-Shed. 11

vafter remains inactive for a longer orv l sider to be a feature of myinvention which Patented Aug. 7, 192s..

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN F, MCGUINESS, OF SAUNDERSVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-NOR T0CROMPTON & KNOWLES LOOM WORKS, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A COR-IPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

WEIET-REPLENISHING LOOM.

Application led December 4, 1925. Serial No. 73,245.

This invention relates to a weft replenishing loom of the pick and picktype, that is, to an automatic loom in which any one of the shuttles maybe picked in either direction at any time, as distinguished from loomsin which each shuttle must make at least two successive picks Wheneverit comes into operation.

Tt is the general object of my invention to provide a weft-replenishing,pick and pick loom in which approaching weft exhaustion is indicated atthe non-replenishing side of the loom and in which the weft is automatically replenished at the opposite or magazine side of the loom.

It has been noted in prior automatic pick and pick looms that a weftcarrier is frequently transferred to a shuttle which thereshorter time,while some other shuttle becomes active. This delay of the replenishedshuttle frequently causes breakage of the weft end which leads from theshuttle to Vthe stationary end holder of the loom. This Aecordinclanother ob'ect of m invenh ya tion is the provision ot' mechanism byWhich a weft transfer can be effected only to a shuttle about to becomeactive. This I conis of very great importance. I p

My invention further relates to the provision of a mechanical feeler ofa new and improved construction, to an improved transferring mechanism,and to the provision of means includingY a special pattern chainconstruction by which the mechanical feeler may be operativelypositioned with relation to a shuttle about to become active.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of partswhich will be hereinafter described and more particularly` pointed outin the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is ,Shown in the drawings in whichFig. 1 is a left hand side elevation of the magazine and its operating,Ymechanism, with the lay and breast beam indicated in section;

Fig. 2 is a left hand side elevation of the loom, showing,r particularlythe drop box actuating mechanism and the fceler -positioning mechanism;

Fig'. 3 is a sectional side elevation of certain connections between theweft detector or fceler and the bobbin-releasimgr mechanism inthemagazine;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional elevation, taken along,y the line .5*5 inFig. 3;

Fig'. G is a plan view of the weft Adetecting mechanism and certainparts of the loom associated therewith;

Fig. G is a sectional plan View of the parts of the weft detector Fig. 7is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. G, with the drop boxesshown in sect-ion;

Fier 8 is a plan View of the indicating levers and connections forpositioning the weft detector;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 8.;

Fig. .10 is a diagrammaticrepresentation of different positions of theweft detector, the several positions being indicated by the letters A,B, C, D and E;

Fig. 11 is a riffht hand side elevation of the loom, With the drop boxesin section, and showing `particularly the 'transfer mechanism 4Fig. 12is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 11;

F igs. 13 and 14 are Views similar to Fig. 11 but showing the transfermechanism in different operative positions;4

Fig. 15 is a plan View of the transfer mechanism shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 15'l is a diagrammatic front View of certain connections betweenthe detector and the transfer mechanism Fig. 16 is a front elevation ofthe right hand lawv end and shuttle boxes; n

Fie. 17 is a sectional side elevation of the shutt eboxes andtransferrer, taken along the line 17-17 in Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a sectional rear elevation, taken along the line 18`18 inFig. 17

Fig. 19 is a rear elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 20 is a right hand sectional elevation taken along the line 20-20in Fig. 19 z- Fig. 21` is a plan view of certain connections between thedrop'boxes Fig. 22 is a partial front elevation, looking in thedirection of the arrow 22 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 23 is a front elevation of ashuttle box, looking in the directionof the arrow 23 in Fig. 20: and

Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic plan view to be described.

General dcscn'ptz'on of the Zoom.

also provided at the left handisidc of the loom and is movable bypattern controlled devices into position to co-operate with any selectedshuttle box.

The pattern mechanism is so designed that .the feeler will be positionedto co-operate with the shuttle which is about to become active.Provision is also made by which the feeler, after being thus positioned,will moveI with the associated shuttle as it is raised or lowered topicking position. A transfer mechanism is provided at the magazine sideof the loom and is adapted to transfer a weft carrier horizontally toth'e shuttle which is about to become active.

Referring to--the drawings, l have shown portions of a loom frame 30`(Fig. 2) on which is mounted a lay 31 actuated by the usual crank shaft32 and connecting rod 33. Drop boxes 34 are mounted on the left hand ordetecting end of the lay and these boxes are movable vertically by dropbox actuating' mechanism of any usual or commercial type.

lAs shown in the drawings, a lifter rod 35 is connected to a lever 36having a floating center 37 and vsupported by `angle-levers 4Q and 41,which in turn are connected by links 42 and 43 to vibrator gears 44which are intermittently actuated by the usual cylinder gears 45 and 46.The vibrator gears are mounted on vibrator levers 47 which are connectedby links 48 to the usual pattern controlled levers 49 (Fig. 8). Asuitable give-way connection is referably provided between the two partso the floating lever 36.

Similar drop boxes 50 (Fig. 11) are provided at the magazine end of theloom and suitable connections to be described cause the two sets of dropboxes to raise and fall simultaneously.

Detecting mechanism.

The detecting mechanism is shown on an enlarged scale in Figs. 6 and 7and comprises a detecting member or feeler mounted for both sliding andswinging movement in a'stand 61 which is pivoted at its forward end upona stud 62. The stud 62 is mounted in an arm G3 which in turn swingsabout a fixed pivot or stud 64. The detecting member 60 is of the wellknown side slip type and is pressed yieldingly rearward by a spring 65.A cross piece 66 secured to the detector 60 engagesan inclined bearingsurface 6T on the stand 61 and normally positions the detector 60 asshown in Fig. 6.

When the detector engages a substantially,l

exhausted weft.carrier, the .detector slidesl along the relativelysmooth surface of the bobbin or weft carrier toward the right, thusprojecting a plunger 68 (Fig. 4) into the path of an actuating member 69(Fig. 3). This member 69 is connected by a bell crank 70 and link 71 toa lever 72 which is rocked by a cam 73 on every pick of the loom,thereby causing the member 69 to more forward. If the plunger 68 isprojected into the path of the member 69, the plunger 68 and itssupporting member 74 are pushed forward, rocking the arm 75 to which themember 7 4 is connected and thus turning the shaft 7 6 on which the arm75 is mounted.

The shaft 76 extends across the front of the loom to the magazine sidewhere it is provided with an arm 77 (Fig. 1) connected to a rod 78 whichcontrols the indil plunger 68 to be swung forward for transferindication and alsof permit the stand 61 to be moved to differentvertical positions as will now be described.

Detector position-ing devices. r1 he arm 63 (Fig. 6) which supports thestud 62 is connected by a yielding link 80 (Figs. 6 and 8) to a lever 81mounted on the stud 82 (Fig. 8) fixed to the loom frame 30. Anindicating lever 83 (Fig. 8) .is pivoted at 84 on a fixed bracket 85 andis connected by a link 86 to the lever` 81.- The lever 83 is connectedat its opposite end by a link 87 to a pattern lever 88 which co peratwith a portion of the drop box pattern chain 89 (Fig. The stand 61 (Fig.6).1s similarly oonnected by a yielding link 90 (Fig. 7) t0 a lever 91pivoted at 82 and connected by a link 93 (Fig. 2) to an indicating lever94 mounted on a fixed pivot 95. The lever 94 is connected by a link 96to a second pattern lever 97, as in the connections previouslydescribed.

The pattern chain 89 (Fig. 2)- for controlling the pattern levers 88 and97 is preferably provided with chain rolls of Vthree different diametersas indicated at 100, 101

102 in Fig. 10.

In the arrangement marked A, two of the medium size rolls 100 positionthe stand 61 to co-operate with a shuttle which is positioned level withthe shuttle race. In the arrangement B, I use amedium roll 100 toposition the connector 90 for the stand 61 and a large roll 101 toposition the. connector 80 for the arm 68. This moves the stand 61 sothat the detector will co-operate withabove the running position ands'milarly a combination of two small rolls 102, as shown in arrangementE, will position the stand 61 so that the detector will co-operate witha shuttle which is two spaces below the running position.

By the use of two indicating levers and a chain constructed as abovedescribed. I am thus able to give the detector five different operativepositions. The pattern chain 89 (Fig. 2) is intermittently moved aheadapproximately one half pick earlier than the drop box mechanism.

The detector Sama 61 (Fig. e) is provided with a rearwardly extendingstud or projection 106 adapted to enter any one of a series of holes 107(Fig. 7) in a strap or bracket 108 fixed to and movable with the dropboxes 34. The stand 61 and projection 106 are positioned as abovedescribed just prior to the forward movement of the lay and such forwardmovement causes the projection 106 to enter that one of the holes 107which is associated with the selected shuttle box which 'is about tosupply the running shuttle.

v The detector will thus be held in operative relation with the selectedAshuttle as the drop boxes rise or fall, the stand 61 being swung upwardor downward by its 'connection through the projection 106 to the shuttlebox and such swinging movement permitted by the 'yielding constructionof the links 80 and 90,' as indicated in Fig. 7 l Y I have thus provideda mechanical weft detector or feeler which will be moved in advance toco-operate with the shuttle which lis about to become active. If thisshuttle is thereafter raised or lowered to bring it to operativeposition, the detector will swing with the drop boxes and will maintainits operative detecting relation to the weft carrier in the shuttle. Ifthe weft carrier is substantially exhausted, the detector will slipside-ways, advancing the plunger 68 (Fig. 4) into the path of theactuating membei' 69 and rocking the shaft 76 to indicate weftexhaustion. A lost-motion slotted connection (Fig. 6) between thedetector 60 and the plunger 68 prevents movement of the latter by theordinary forward movement of the detector.

Weiz.L replenskz'ng magazine,

The magazine 110 (Fig. 1') is in general of the usual multicolorstationary magazine type and is shown herein as providing for the useand control of three different kinds or `-colors of weft carriers. Theusual color slide 111 is connected by a bell crank 112, connector 113and other connections (not shown) to the drop box actua-tingmechanism sothat the magazine will always be set to release a weft carriercorresponding in color to the running shuttle, this being the usualarrangement in weft replenishing drop box looms.

For a detailed description of the type of mechanism shown in thedrawings, reference is made to the prior patent to Ryon, No. 1,030,748issued, June 25, 1912.

The color slide is arranged to be rocked by a link 114 (Fig. 1) uponindica-tion of weft exhaustion, which is evidenced by projection of theplunger 78 (Fig. 1) into the path of a floating lever or actuator v115(Fig. 22) which is rocked at yevery pick by a link 116 (Fig. 1) and camlever 117, actuated in turn by a .continuously rotating double cam'118.'l

Upon indication of ,weft` exhaustion, a

bobbin of the selected color is released by the -does not occur untiljust prior to the flight of the replenished shuttle from the'magazineend of the loom.

y V Traneferrtg mechanism.

The transferring mechanism in my iin- Eroved loom is arranged totransfer the obbin horizontally through the front side` of the shuttlebox and to eject the exhausted izo bobbin through an opening in the rearside thereof. The transferring mechanism is movable vertically to bringit into co-operation with the shuttle' box which is about to bepositioned at the level of the shuttle race.

For this purpose the bobbin vholder and transferrer are supported andactuated in a manner similar to the arrangement for the weft detectorstand 61, the bobbin holder being swung vertically simultaneously withthe detector stand.

Referring particularly to Figs. 15 .to 18, the bobbin hglder 120 (Fig.15) is provided with forwardly projecting arms 121 pivoted on studs 122in' the swinging forward ends of arms or levers 123 which in turn aremounted upon fixed pivot'studs 124. The left hand arm 121 is connectedby a vielding link 125 (Fig. 12) to a lever 126 (Fig. 11) pivoted at 127and connected by a link 128, a bell crank 129 (Fig. 15a), an adjustableconnecting rod 130, a bell crank 131 and a link 132 to the lever 91(Fig. 8) by which the detector stand 61 is positioned.

The arm 123 (Fig. 15) is similarly connected through a yielding link 133(Fig. 12),

a lever 134 and a link 135 (Fig. 13) toy duplicate bell cranks andconnecting rods through which connection is made to a link 136 (Fig. 8)pivoted at its upper end on the lever 81 which positions the arm 63 onwhich the detector stand 61 is pivoted.

By these connections the bobbin holder 120 is swung about its centers122 and 124 (Fig. 15) to any one of five different positionscorresponding tothe positions A, B, C, D and E of the weft detector asindicated in Fig. 10, This positioning. movement takes place shortlyprior to the movement ,of the drop boxes and associates the bobbinholder and transferrer with the shuttle box about to assume active orrunning position and about to receive the indicated shuttle.

The'bobbin holder 12() is provided with a flat bottom portion 14() (Fig.15) and with side flanges 141 (Fig. 18) which are grooved to furnishguide-ways for the Vtransferrer 142. A lug 143 (Figi 15) on the side ofthe bobbin holder 120 is provided with an adjustable stud 144 whichprojects rearward and is adapted to enter one of a series of v'guideopenings 145 (Fig. 20) in a strap or bracket 146 secured toA the'frame147 of the `drop boxes 5 0v at the magazine side of thev loom. s A

These drop boxes` are supported by the usual? lifter rod 148 which isshifted vertically inunison with the lifter rod 35 at the opposite isideof v the loom through connectionsindicateddiagrammatically in Fig. 21.

These connections comprise an arm 149 zmounted` on q a' rock shaft 150iand-connected to the lower end of the lifter rod 148. y second arm 1'51is connected to the lifter rod 35 (Fig. 2) so that the two sets of dropboxes will move together and that corresponding shuttle boxes onopposite sides of the loom will always lie in the same horizontal plane.

As the boxes are shifted, the stud 144 and strap or bracket 146 keep thebobbin holder and transferrer in operative relation with the selectedshuttle box during the vertical shifting movements of the boxes.

Trans/errer actuating mechanism.

The transferrer 142 is actuated to force the ,bobbin rearward in thebobbin holder 140 and thereby effect transfer to the -exhausted shuttle.For this purpose, the transferrer is provided with a forwardly extendingarm 154 (Figu15) forked to receive the slotted upper end of a transferlever 155 (Fig. 13) mounted upon a fixed pivot 156 and having anelongated slot at its upper end through which extendsy a stud 158 (Fig.17), mounted in the forked arm 154 ot' the transferrer 142. This slottedconnection between the transferrer and the transfer lever provides acontinuous operative connection, while permitting angular movement ofthe `transferrer with the bobbin holder.

At its lower end the lever 11) is provided with a latch 160 which isnormally positioned out of the path of movement of a bunter 161 by whichit is actuated (1o-transfer a bobbin. The bunter 161 is preferably xedto the front end of a rod 162 (Fig. 11) slidable in a bearing 163 andhaving a pin and slot connection at its rear end to a lever 164 actuated'by a cam 165 on thebottom or cam shaft '166. This cam 165 is preferablydouble-acting, as shown in the drawings, so that the bunter 161 is movedforward at every pick of the loom.'

The latch 160 is controlled through a link 166 (Fig. 11) from the uppershaft 168 (Fg.1) of the magazine, which is actuated vin the usual mannerto raise the latch when Rabbin support md release.

The bobbin holder 120 (Fig. 15) is provided with a door o rtrap 170(Fig. 17) in the bottom 14()l thereof, upon which trap the bobbin Brests while awaiting transfer. The bobbin is retained in' this positionby yielding spring clips or retainers 171 and 172 (Fig. 18). The trap170 visv held normallycloscd by springs v173 and 174, the closedposition being regulated by an adjusting screw 175 (Fig. 17).

A depending rod 176 is pivoted at 177 to the trap 170. The' rod 176 isslidable through a recess 177 in a. plate 178, pvoted to the upper endof an actuating rod 179.

' The rod 179 is moved vertically at -every pick of the loom in someconvenient manner as by a suitable connection (not shown) to the camlever 164.

When in its upper position, the plate 178 engages a stop pin 180 (Fig.17) and is thereby moved to horizontal position against the tension of aspring 181 by which it is normally swung upward about its pivot-on therod 179. lVhen the plate 178 is in horizontal position, the rod 176 isfreely slidable through the opening 177 as the .bobbin holder andtransferrer are moved vertically with the drop boxes. Willen the rod 179is depressed, however, the plate 178 swings angularly to grip anddepress the rod 76, thus opening the trap 170 and releasing the bobbinresting thereon, if for any reason the bobbin has failed to betransferred.

Shuttle bom const-mation.'

The shuttle boxes at the magazine side of the loom are of specialconstruction to permit horizontal transfer of the bobbins. Referring toFigs, 19 and 20, it will be seen that the lay end 183 is provided with alarge rear opening 184 through which the exhausted bobbins may beejected. The extreme outer portion of the lay end 183 is also slotted asindicated at 185 to provide a continuation of the opening 184 throughwhich any trailing weft ends may be drawn out of the path of anin-coming shuttle.

A drop box frame 147 for the boxes 50 is similarly lprovided with aseries of rear openings 186, one opening being positioned opposite eachof the boxes. The shuttle binders 187 (Fig. 16) are also provided withopenings 188 and with a narrow slot 189 between the upper and lowerparts of the binder.I The binders are provided with the usual springs190 which, are forked to engage the upper and `lower portions of thebinders and' to prevent obstruction to the transfer of the bobbins. Eachshuttle box has a large opening 191 at its front side, as shown in Fig.23, and also has a slot 192 at the inner end thereof, between the frontside of box plate and the top of the shuttle box.

These narrow slots 189 and 192 permit the weft thread WV attached to aytransferred bobbin to be drawn entirely free of the binder and shuttlebox as the latter moves rearwardly and the shuttle is picked from thebox the end of the weft threadbcing still attached to the weft endholder and the shuttle being not yet threaded. (See Fig.- 24).

The chance of weft breakage is thus substany tially reduced.

Having described the construction of my improved loom, I will nowindicate briefly the method of operation thereof.

` The detector stand 61 and the bobbin holder 120 are moved throughconnections from the indicator levers 88 and 97 so that they arepositioned in alignment with that shuttle which is about to becomeactive, this positioning occurring in advance ofthe shifting of the dropboxes. During the shifting of the drop boxes,v the boxes also moveforward and the detector, being retained in operative relation with theshuttle about to become active, thereupon indicates the condition of theweft supply therein.

If the weft is substantially exhausted, the' detector will slip alongtoward the tip of the bobbin, advancing the plunger 68 (Fig. 4) into thepath ofthe actuator 69 (Fig. and thus causing movement of the rock shaft76, thereby rendering the actuator rod 116 (Fig. 1) effective to r'ockthe color slide 111 which is maintained in selective positioncorresponding to the running shuttle by its connection to the patternlevers which control the drop boxes.

A fresh bobbin is thus advanced to intermediate position before theexhausted shuttle is received at the magazine side of the loom. Thebobbin is held in its cradle in intermediate position until theexhausted shuttle has been sent to the magazine side ot' the loom anduntil the substantially exhausted shuttle is about to again becomeaetive. At this time the color slide 111 will again be moved to aposition corresponding to the partially released bobbin, and the rockingof the color slide will fully release the bobbin and will allow it tofall into the bobbin holder, at the same time raising the latch160 intothe path of the bunter 161. This selective axial movement of the colorslide and also its rocking movement occurs on every pick of the loom,instead of on every second pick, which is -the usual arrangement. 'lheaxial movement is preferably controlled from the drop box pattern andtakes place just prior to the rocking movement thereof. ln other words,the color slide is moved lo a position corresponding to the shuttle nextto be picked ust prior to the actuation of the mechanism for finallyreleasing thebobbin and for raising the latch 160 to operative position.

AS 4the bunter thereupon advances, the transferrer 142 will be movedrearward and such movement, combined with the forward movement of thelay, will cause the fresh bobbin to be inserted in the exhaustedshut-tle and the spent bobbin to be ejected through the rear opening ofthe drop boxes and lay end.

By the mechanism above described, I am thus able to effectively transfera fresh bobbin to a substantially exhausted shuttle and to make suchtransfer just prior to the picking of the replenished shuttle from themagazine side of the loom. This latter result is particularly important,as it prevents transfer of a bobbbin to a shuttle which is about toremain idle at the magazine side of the loom for a longer or shorterperiod of time, during which time the fresh weft end would very probablybe broken by the movement of the lay while the end was attached to thefixed end holder of the loom.

`If the bobbin fails of transfer, the revoking mechanism opens the trap170 in the bobbin holder 140 and thus removes the untransferred bobbin.y

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do notWish to be limited to the details herein disclosed otherwise than as setforth in the claims, but what I claim'is:- A

1. A weft replenishing drop box loom having, in combination, shiftingshuttle boxes, a magazine, weft replenishing mechanism associatedtherewith, a single weft detector, means to move said weft detector intoposition to enter any selected shuttle about to become active, and meansto thereafter positively connect said detector with the shuttle box ofthe selected shuttle and to positively maintain operative relationbetween the weft detector and said shuttle during the vertical shiftingof the boxes.

2. A weft replenishing drop box loom having, in combination, almagazine, weft replenishing mechanism associated, therewith, a weftdetector mounted for vertical swinging movement about a pivot stud, asupporting member for said stud mounted to swing about a fixed pivot,selective means to move said supporting member to cause said weftdetector to enter any selected shuttle about to become active, and meansto maintain said weft detector in operative relation with said shuttlewhile said shuttle is moved vertically to running position.

3. A weft replenishing drop box loom having, in combination, a weftdetector, a

stand for said detector, a movable supporting member to which sald stand1s plvoted, selective means to move said supporting member, andadditional selective means to l teetor simultaneous selective movementsto move said stand about its pivot on said member, whereby said detectormay be brought;`

plenishing side of the loom, a weft detector at the non-replenishingside of the loom, and means to give sind transferrer and salddeassociate said parts with the drop boxes correspondingt'o the shuttleabout to' become active.

5. A weft replenishingg` drop box loom having, in combination, aplurality of vertically shifting drop boxes, a weft detector, patterncontrolled vmechanism effective to move saidselected drop box, arecessed member on said ing the subsequent shiftng of the boxes.

(S. Agweft replenishing drop box loom havfing, in combination, aplurality of'vertically I,shifting drop boxes, a weft detector, patterncontrolled mechanism eHective to swing said detector about two differentcenters to move vlsaid detector into .co-operative relation with aselected drop box, and means to thereafter maintain such relation duringthe subsequent shifting of the boxes.

7. In a weft replenishing drop box loom, a magazine, a plurality ofvertically shifting shuttle boxes on the magazine side of the loom,a-bobbin holder, a transfer mechanism effective to transfer a bobbinsubstantially horizontally from said holder to a shuttle in a selecteddrop box, and means topostpone such transfer until a pick on which there- -plcnished shuttle is to remain active.

8. AIn a weft replenishing drop box loom, weft detecting mechanismeffective to indicate weft exhaustion in a shuttle about to move toactive running position, means to thereafter transfer a bobbin to saidshuttle,.

and means to postpone such transfer until a pick on which thereplenished shuttle is to be sent to the non-replenishing side of theloom. 4

9. In a weft replenishing drop boxloom, in combination, a magazine, atransferrer, actuating mechanism for said transferrer, and patterncontrolled means to postpone actuation of lsaid transferrer until a pickon at the magazine side ofthe loom also mov` able substantiallyvertically to co-operate with a selected shuttle box, and patterncontrolled means elfective to cause simultaneous selective movements ofsaid detector and. said transfer mechanism.

11. In a weft replenishing drop box loom, in combination, a magazine, alay, a set of vertically shifting shuttle boxes at each end of the lay,a weft detector at the non-replenishing side of the loom movablevertically to co-operate with a selected shuttle box, a transfermechanism at the magazine ,side of the loom also movable vertically toco-operatewith a selected shuttle box, and Ipattern controlled meanseffective to cause llt) simultaneous selective movements of said.detector into co-operative relation with a detector and said transfer,mechanlsm, said having, 1n combination, a magazine, a lay, a

set of vvertically shifting shuttle boxes at each end of the lay, saidsets of-boxes maintaining I a iixed'relation to each other, means toshift said sets of boxes simultaneously, means to v indicate substantialexhaustion of weft on the lnon-replenishin side ofthe loom, a

vertically adjustab e, horizontally acting transferrer on the magazineside of theloom, vand means to adjust said detector and said transferrersimultaneously.vertically to positions corresponding-to the position 'ofthe shuttleabout to become active. 13.E In a weft replenishing drop boxloom, a bobbin holder, a transferrer mounted thereon, means to move saidtransferrer in a substantially horizontal direction to e'ect a bobbinfrom said bobbinholder, said older .having a'Itrap in the' bottomthereof, and means to, periodically open-,said trap to release a bobbinfailing of transfer therefrom. 14;. In a. weft replenishing drop boxloom, a bobbin holder, a transferrer mounted thereon, means to move'said transferrerfin a substantially horizontal direction to, eject abobbin from. said bobbin holder,said holder having a trap in thebottomthereof, and means to periodically open 'said trap to release abobbin failing of transfer therefrom,

' and a pattern chain sociated with eaeh box and said opening meansincluding a connection permitting free vertical adjustments of saidbobbin holder between releasing movements of said opening means.

15. In a weft repleni'shing drop box loom, a feeler stand, a pair ofindicating levers connected to selectivel position said feeler stand,and a pattern c am effective to actu? ate said leversand having elementsengaging said levers Lat threei'ditferent elevations.

1,6. In a weftv replenishjng loom, a weft detector, a air of indicatinglevers c onnected to se ectively osition said detector,

fbr moving said levers,

said chainhaving engaging elements o'f'rela.- ti-vely large, small andintermediate diameters.

. 417. In a weft replenishing ,drop box loom, a plurality of drop boxeseach having openings in the front and rear box plates thereof, anda'separate front binder ermanently asavlng a corresponding lopening'therethrough and having a` slot communicating with said opening, saidslot being at the free endof the binder adjacent the cloth. selvage.

18. In a weft replenishing drop box loom, av plurality of drop boxeshaving openings in i the front and rear box plates thereof and aseparate'front binder permanently associated4 with each drop boxandhaving upper and lower portions positioned to engage portions of theshuttle, said binder portions being en tirely separated at4 the free endof said binder adjacent the cloth selvage, and the opening inthe frontbox being unobstructed at its corresponding end.

. 19. In a weft replenishing loom, a magazine, a lay, and a shuttle bxat the magazine end of the lay, said shuttle box having an openingin-its front box plate to permit horizontal transfer of a bobbintherethrough, and said'opening being unobstructed at the end adjacentthe lcloth selvage, permitting free escape of the weft end from saidbox.

20. In a weft replenishing loom, a maga, zine, a lay, and a shuttle boxat the magazineend of the lay, said shuttle box having anopening in itsvfront box plate to permit horizgntal transfer of a bobbin the-rethrough,andl said opening lcommunicating with a slot adjacent the to of the boxand 'at the end 'of the box a jacent the cloth selvage, prmitting freeescape vof the weft end from said box.

2l. jIn a weft replenishing loom, a magazine, a lay, a shuttle box atthe'vmagazine end of the lay having an opening in its front box platetop ermit horizontal transfer of a bobbin therethrough, and a binderhaving' a corresponding 'opening therein, said binder and box bothhaving provision to permit the escape of 'a weft end from said shuttlebox as the shuttle is pickedv therefrom. y

22.- In a weft: replenishing loom, a multicolor magazine, an end holder,and a plurality of, vertically movable drop boxes at the magazine sideof the loom, said boxes having openings therein permitting horizontaltransfer of bobbins to shuttles in said shuttle boxes, and said boxesbeing constructed to permit free escape of the weft ends from said boxesat the ends thereof ada magazine, a bobbin holder movably mount'- 15 edbeneath said magazine, pattern controlled means to givesaidv bobbinholder aselective vertical movement, means to transfer a bobbinsubstantially horizontally therer from to a substantially exhaustedshuttle, and. means to release a bobbin remaining in said holder throughrevoking lof the transfer.

24. In a weft replenishing drop box loom, a bobbin holder, means totransfer a bobbin substantially horizontally therefrom to a'-substantially exhausted shuttle, means to change the vertical positionof said bobbin holder to cooperate with different shuttles, and means torelease a bobbin remaining in saidholder through revoking of thetransfer, said means being operative in every vertieal' position of saidholder.

25. In a weft replenishingdrop box loom, a bobbin holder, means totransfer a bobbin substantially horizontally therefrom to asubstantially exhausted shuttle, means to change the lvertical positionof said bobbin holder to cooperate with different shuttles, a trap inSaid bobbin holder, and means to open said trap in every verticalposition of said bobbin holder.

26. In a weft replenishing drop box loom, a magazine, weft replenishingmechanism adjacent thereto, a weft detectingl mechanism located'at thenon-replenishing side of the loom and effective to indicate weftexhaustion in a shuttle about to move to active running position, andmeans to postpone the operation of the weft replenishing `mecha, nismafter indication by said detecting mechanism until the indicated shuttleis received at the magazine side of the loom and BENJAMIN F. MCGUINESS.

